Little Falls transcript., 1887-05-27
ANDRE THERIOT.

first bnilt, or conquered, by the ances.
tors OF the Comte de Maupassant, no
one knew. But the beautiful domain
OF Beaujolais had descended to the
Maupassants for centuries in an un-
broken line.
The present owner Count Guy, was
perhaps the wealthiest and proudest
Of his race, as he was also the last.
His only child Blanche, g. little girl
about ten years old, was the sole sci
on Of that once numerous and pow
erful family, and what affection her
father had was lavished upon her.
But, like all the Maupassants, he was
cold-hearted and naughty, and when
his wife, whom he had married from
motives OF interest, drooped, faded,
and died, in the uncongenial atmos.
phere of the old chateau, he gave her
scant mourning
As for the little Countess, she had
her governess and her Donne. and, be-
ing EXTREMITY wilful. was allowed to do
pretty much as she pleased Her
father, who spent the greater part OF
his time in Paris, was quite content,
on his visits to the chateau, to see
his beautiful little daughter healthy
and happy, and the greatest little des-
pot in the household which was
wholly submissive to her widest
whjms
What life she led them! She re-
belled against the constant watchful-
ness OF governess and maids, and
oothing delighted her more than to
run away from them, and PASS long
ours in wandering alone through the
deep forests and broad fields OF
Beaujolais. Her governess, a. good.
indolent woman. was In utter de-
spair at these escapades.
"But, madernoiselle, l forbid you
to 90 alone' she cried SIT is not
CONNIE il faut for the Countess de
Maupassant to wander about alone,
like one of the common children"
'"Then I wish was common peas.
ant child" the little lady cried, stamp
ing her feet angrily. "They have got
children to play with them, and I've
got nobody but you and Bonne
Marie; and you are OLD, old, and you
can't jump and run and play. I will
60 by myself; and if you watch me or
try to follow me, madame, l will 60
outside the gate and run away to
Paris. There now|'
Poor Madame Duloc shook and
shivered at this threat. She knew the
child would keep her word, and then
what would happen? AS for punish
ing her refractory charge as she de-
served, that she knew was utterly i'm
possible, and would cost her an easy
and lucrative situation. So she
weakly strove to compromise.
eli you would only take Celine,
mademoiselle, then you might stay
out as long as you please"
But am running away from Celine
and everybodyn' she cried inpatient
ly. II hate to be watched, and if you
will do it, l will run away. I will go
where | choose"
Poor Madame DulOc raised her
hands and eyes in despair, but before
this will 90 she knew she was power
less. See did what she could; she ex-
acted a promise from Blanche that
she would never go beyond the park
gates. Wiliul and ungovernable as
the little Countess was, she had never
broken her word, so Madame Duloc
was forced to yield the point. She
would climb laboriously to the high
tower, and watch the child through
the fields, and until she was lost in the
recesses OF the forest. But after q
time, when Blanche came in regularly,
glowing with health and ready to
study more sedulously than she had
ever done, she ceased her espionage.
The lonely little girl found her life
full OF intrest now. She made friends
with the birds and squirrels, and all
the wild things OF the field and for
est. She was warm-hearted, Loving
little creature though her best impul-
ses had been repressed by her arti-
fetal life, and it was hergreatest pleas
ure to stop and chat with old Theriot.
the gardener, and his assistants, who
were always busy about the grounds.
One beautiful spring morning, in her
wanderings through the spacious
gardens, Blanche came to an arch
twined with the fragrant Provence
rose, then in full bloom. They were
high above her reach, nor was there a
foothold on the arch where she could
climb. She looked around No one
was in sight but tall lad, who was
wedding one Of the beds
"Here, garcon, come and get ma
some roses"
He came obediently, and gathered
her a large cluster.
"You are very TALL" she said, "to
reach up there. Where do you live,
and how old are you?' "
II am sixteen" and, mademoiselle,
I live here. am Andre Theriot.'
"Ah, you are the the gardener Their
lots son. I like him." nodding her
head gravely. He is a good man.
He let's me pick the nectarines myself.
Do you want q rose, Andre?" holding
out one, with the air Of q young en-
press. Andre put out his hand for it,
when she drew it back, with mis-
chievous laugh.
Come, now, I'm going to treat you
as madame does me, when she gives
me bonbons. You must spell rose
before you get it," -: IL aE
z The lads handsome face flushed
crimson.
"But,, mamselle," he stammered,
IL can't spell. I don't know my let
ters." ~ s
"Don't know your letters, you, q
big, strong boy of sixteen! Oh, you
must be very lazy! Why don't you
learn2" o.s
"But, mamselle, my father is too
poor to send me to school = wish i
could learn. All, mon Dieu, ii could
only learn to read, would be so
happy clasping his hand. with the
big tears in his eyes.
"You shall earn to read Andre!..
Pity and sympathy wer. al work in